Nestlé Applauds Release of Draft Voluntary Sodium Reduction Goals

WASHINGTON, June 1, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Nestlé welcomes the voluntary sodium reduction guidelines issued by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration today. These guidelines establish specific goals and aim to support the voluntary, coordinated and gradual reduction of sodium across the food supply, including restaurants and food service providers in addition to food manufacturers. In May 2016, Nestlé announced its support for the FDA's pending guidelines and introduced the company's efforts to further reduce sodium. Nestlé agrees with the FDA that broad adoption of the agency's voluntary recommendations by the food industry can create a meaningful reduction in population sodium intake over time and help consumer taste preferences adjust.

Nestlé has endorsed global targets aligned with the World Health Organization, aimed at helping people consume no more than 2,000 milligrams of sodium per day. Given the company's ongoing efforts to improve its portfolio, Nestlé is confident it will be able to fulfill the spirit of the FDA's message within the timeframe proposed. Nestlé looks forward to commenting on the recommendations and hopes this will drive a broader industry dialogue.

According to Paul Grimwood, Chairman and CEO, Nestlé USA, "Nestlé has been on a journey to reduce sodium across its food portfolio for more than a decade, and with 97% of U.S. households buying Nestlé brands, we have a tremendous opportunity to make an impact on Americans' diets. But one company can't change the whole system. Broad adoption of these recommendations by members of industry will result in an even greater public health impact."

Nestlé is diligently implementing its sodium reduction efforts to ensure its renovated foods and beverages deliver a stronger nutritional profile without compromising taste. Recipes are tested with consumer panels and at least 60 out of 100 of participants must prefer the Nestlé products over those of our competitors to ensure acceptance. Between 2005 and 2012, the company reduced sodium by 5,950 tons or 22.7% in its food portfolio. Since 2013, Nestlé has further reduced sodium content by 970 tons compared to 2012 levels, or 8% towards our objective of a 10% reduction by the end of 2016.

In the U.S., progress to-date in sodium reduction includes:

• Reducing sodium by an average of 10 percent compared to 2013 levels in 250 products across the entire portfolio of six Nestlé pizza and snack brands -- DIGIORNO®, TOMBSTONE®, CALIFORNIA PIZZA KITCHEN®, JACK'S®, HOT POCKETS® and LEAN POCKETS®.
• The LEAN CUISINE® brand has evolved over the 35 years since its launch from a line of 10 dishes with an average of 1,000 mg of sodium per serving to more than 100 recipes with an average of 600 mg sodium each (26% Daily Value). Today, 99 percent of Lean Cuisine entrees can reasonably fit into a dietary pattern that contains less than 2,000 milligrams of sodium per day.
• In 2011, Nestlé reduced sodium levels in its GERBER® Lil' Entrees® line by as much as 30%, and has continued to reduce sodium in its toddler meals through reformulating another 13 recipes. By 2014, 100% of Gerber's infant and toddler meals and drinks met the sodium guidance established by CODEX Alimentarius, a set of internally recognized food standards¹.

In line with its commitment to Good Food, Good Life®, Nestlé aims to lead industry efforts to help ensure people have access to the foods, beverages and information they need to make choices consistent with the 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. This includes Nestlé Portion Guidance™, a voluntary initiative designed to bridge international dietary recommendations (e.g. in the form of food guides) and nutrition labeling regulations. 

Additional resources:

• Nestlé's Global Sodium Policy
• Nestlé Nutritional Profiling System
• Nestlé Portion Guidance
• Gerber's Start Healthy Stay Healthy Menu Planner

About Nestlé in the U.S.

Nestlé in the United States is committed to being a trusted leader in nutrition, health and wellness. Our diverse portfolio of food and beverage products provide nutritious options for every member of the family, including infants, toddlers, teens and adults, mature adults, and dogs and cats.  Nestlé in the U.S. consists of eight main businesses: Nestlé USA, Nestlé Waters North America, Nestlé Nutrition, Nestlé Professional, Nespresso, Nestlé Health Science, Nestlé Skin Health and Nestlé Purina PetCare Company. Together, these companies operate in more than 120 locations in 47 states and employ over 51,000 people. The United States is Nestlé S.A.'s largest market with combined product sales in the United States totaling more than $26 billion in 2015.

Nestlé is celebrating its 150th anniversary in 2016, and we're commemorating our legacy by honoring our past and rich history, engaging the present with our customers and consumers and looking forward to the future with our commitment to Creating Shared Value and Nutrition, Health and Wellness. For more information, visit Nestleusa.com/csv or Facebook.com/NestleUSA.

¹ According to international nutrition guidance (CODEX Alimentarius), acceptable levels of sodium for toddlers are 200mg of sodium for 100 grams of food product. CODEX Alimentarius is a set of internationally recognized food standards, guidelines and codes of practice regarding foods, food production and food safety.  It is the set of standards accepted by the United Nations and World Health Organization.

Contact:
Emily Dimiero
[email protected]
(202) 292-2934

SOURCE Nestle in the United States